New Statistics Reveal No Change in Child Poverty NCCP Dismayed that Number of Children Without Health Insurance Rises by 8 Percent

NEW YORK, August 28, 2007—The U.S. Census Bureau’s
annual release of data on poverty, income, and health insurance
revealed that the
official child poverty
rate in the United States remained unchanged in 2006, hovering
at about 17.5 percent. We at the National Center for Children
in Poverty (NCCP) are extremely concerned not only that child
poverty did not decline, but also that the number of uninsured
children increased for the second year in a row.

According to the new figures, 12.8 million children live in
families with incomes below the
official poverty
level—$20,000 a year for a family of four in 2006. Since
2000, the annual Census Bureau figures have shown that the number
of children living in poverty has either increased or remained
stagnant each year. In fact, there were 1.2 million more poor
children in 2006 compared to 2000. And the number of children
without health insurance increased by more than 600,000 in just one
year, reaching 8.7 million. Nearly one in five children
living in poverty is uninsured.

Today’s data release revealed another troubling
fact—real median earnings of full-time, year-round workers
fell by more than a full percentage point. “Although some
areas of the economy appear strong, today’s numbers are a
troubling reminder that prosperity is benefiting only the very
highest earners,” says Dr. Jane Knitzer, Director of
NCCP.

We know that sound public policies can make a difference.
“To provide for their children, low-income workers need
higher wages, and they need assistance paying for expensive budget
items like child care and health care,” asserts Dr. Nancy
Cauthen, NCCP’s Deputy Director. “It’s rather
ironic that we’re having to fight to preserve and expand the
State Children’s Health Insurance Program at a time when the
number of uninsured children is increasing. We should—and
can—do better,” continues Dr. Cauthen.
“It’s simply a matter of priorities.”

To speak with an NCCP expert about the new poverty numbers,
contact Jodie Briggs at (646)284-9619 or briggs@nccp.org.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) is the
nation’s leading public policy center dedicated to promoting
the economic security, health, and well-being of America’s
low-income families and children. Part of Columbia
University’s Mailman School of Public Health, NCCP uses
research to inform policy and practice with the goal of ensuring
positive outcomes for the next generation.